New Sunderland mosque plans: Neighbours get final chance to have their say on designs

Time is running out for residents living near the site of a proposed new mosque in Millfield to have their say on proposed changes to the design.

Developer Pakistan Islamic Centre has applied to Sunderland City Council for permission to vary five conditions of the existing planning permission for the former social services transport depot in St Mark’s Road.

The changes will allow the building of ‘two minarets, and a full-height domed entrance hall to front, installation of windows to side elevations, erection of new brick and wrought iron palisade fencing and alterations to car parking layout’.

The changes will allow the building of ‘two minarets, and a full-height domed entrance hall to front, installation of windows to side elevations, erection of new brick and wrought iron palisade fencing and alterations to car parking layout’.

Letters outlining the proposals have gone out to residents living in the surrounding area and the deadline for commenting on the application expires on Wednesday.

The original application for the mosque development was met with opposition from local residents, who raised concerns about the impact on parking in the area of a large number of people attending religious services.

But it also became the target of a number of extremist anti-Muslim groups which held a series of demonstrations in the area, opposed by anti-fascist groups.

The controversial application was given the green light by councillors at a meeting in August 2012.

A city council spokesman said all interested parties had been informed of the application to change the existing planning permission.

“The applicant is seeking to vary conditions imposed on the previously granted permissions for this place of worship.

“As with all applications, interested parties have the opportunity to comment and make representations,” he said.

“The council has informed immediate neighbours about it by letter, plus site and press notices have also been posted.

“These inform interested parties of how they can view and make comments on the proposals.

“The application will be considered in due course by the Development Control (South) Sunderland sub-committee.”